Film Festival Jury Bars Kobe Bryant for Old Rape Claims

Former basketball star Kobe Bryant has been removed from consideration as a judge for the 2018 Animation Is Film Festival over 2003 rape allegations.

The one-time Los Angeles Lakers guard was set to join the jury for the annual animation festival, which runs Oct. 19–Oct. 21, before the organizers announced his rejection on Oct. 17, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

A petition posted on Change.org called for Bryant to be blocked, based on rape allegations made against the athlete in 2003.

Titled “Remove Sexual Predator Kobe Bryant from ‘Animation Is Film’ Festival Jury,” the petition was totally clear about its purpose.

“We demand that GKIDS, Variety, & Annecy revoke their complicity in enabling a sexual predator to continue a life without any accountability both as an individual and a celebrity,” it read in part.

The petition also said, “Keeping Kobe Bryant on the jury sets a precedent of lenience for sexual criminals and further undermines the visibility and respect that victims of harassment and assault deserve.”

According to the Hollywood Reporter, only 159 people had signed the petition at the time the decision to revoke Bryant’s invitation was made.

Eric Beckman, founder of the festival and CEO of film distribution company GKIDS, explained his decision in a statement.

“After discussions with the various stakeholders of Animation Is Film, the decision has been made to remove Kobe Bryant from the 2018 jury,” the statement said.

“We are a young organization, and it is important to keep our collective energies focused on the films, the participating filmmakers and our festival attendees.”

Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant at the 2018 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Calif. on March 4, 2018. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Bryant Honored and Disappointed

Bryant released a statement of his own regarding the news of his dismissal from the jury, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

“I was honored to have been originally invited by Animation Is Film to serve on the 2018 Jury, and am disappointed to no longer serve in that capacity,” Bryant’s statement said.

“This decision further motivates me and my commitment to building a studio that focuses on diversity and inclusion in storytelling for the animation industry,” it continued.

“I remain focused on changing the world in positive ways through diverse stories, characters, and leadership, in order to inspire the next generation,” he said.

Academy Committee Rescinds Invitation

Bryant was not chosen to sit on the jury because of his talent on a basketball court.

Bryant was honored with an Academy Award—an Oscar—for Best Animated Short Film in 2017 for “Dear Basketball.” Bryant wrote and narrated the film.

After winning his Oscar, Bryant was nominated for a seat at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the Short Films and Feature Animation membership committee, Variety reported.

However, the governors committee rescinded the invitation, purportedly because Bryant had yet to create a sufficient body of work, or to show that animation would be his new career.

Kobe Bryant (L) and his attorney, Pamela Macke, walk into the Eagle County, Colorado Justice Center for a preliminary hearing Oct. 9, 2003. Ed Andrieski/Getty Images

Settled Case

The 2003 sexual assault claims made against Bryant were never proved in court.

Bryant was staying at a hotel in Eagle, Colorado in the summer of 2003 when a 19-year-old hotel employee accused him of rape. Bryant admitted that the pair had sexual relations but denied that it was nonconsensual.

Bryant’s accuser refused to testify in court, so the charges were dropped in 2004.

According to The New York Times, at the time that the case was dropped, Bryant had his lawyer read a public apology to his accuser, saying, “Although I truly believe this encounter between us was consensual, I recognize now that she did not and does not view this incident the same way I did.”

“After months of reviewing discovery, listening to her attorney, and even her testimony in person, I now understand how she feels that she did not consent to this encounter,” the apology continued.

The accuser later filed a civil suit against Bryant, which was settled out of court.

From NTD.tv